Magnetic toy



mm. .X

(No Model.)

G. W. MIATT. MAGNETIC TOY.

No. 417,931. Patented Dec. 24, 1889.

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il H @Bft/ vss ' UNITED STATES PATENT OEEicE.

GEORGE W. MIAT'I, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

MAGNETIC TOY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 417,931,11ated December 1889.

Application filed May 4, 1889.

To @ZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. MIATT, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State ot New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvement-s in Magnetic Toys, of which the following is a specification sufficient to enable others skilled in theart to which the invention appertains to make- .and use the same.

My invent-ion relates to magnetic toys, and, as shown herein, may be designated as a magnetic puzzle, since a magnet' is utilized to eiect the arrangement ot movable paramagnetic objects in performing the game or task.

The essential characteristic of my invention consists in the shielding of a number of, loose paramagnetic objects lying upon a supporting-bed from direct contact with a magnet held in tlie hand ci the user of the toy by means ot a fixed transparent plate, which permits the movements of the paramagnetic objects induced by movements of the magnet to be observed. The paramagnetic objects may be of any desired form, and it is also obvious that the puzzle or task of causing them to assume prescribed relative positions may be varied indefinitely without departing from my invention.

A secondary feature of my invention consists in providing the surface of the said supporting-bed with a prescribed design to serve as a guide or indication of the position which the paramagnetic objects are to be made to take by movements 'of thc magnet. Such design may be pictured upon the bed, or it may' be formed of raised configurations, which will, to such extent as may be desired, mechanically guide and control the movements of the paramagnetic objects. I thus produce a comparatively simple ing in use the exercise of both skill and patience, and which is instructive as well as amusing. The interposition of the transparent shield, while preventing the contact and adhesion of the paramagnetic objects with the magnet, permits of their being readily seen and moved. about by the player, While variationfin the distance ot the actuatingmagnet and the tendency of the paramagnetic objects to cling together byreasonot induced magnetic toy requir-I rspect consisting in sean No. 309,645. (No model.)

magnetism render the problem them entertaining and more or less difficult, according to the complexity of the design.

In the accompanying drawings I illustrate the use of different designs in presenting my invention lin practical form, although I do not Wish to confine myself strictly to any special forxn ot construction of parts,- the essential features of my improvements being present when the series of paramagnetic objects arranged upon a supporting-bed ar'eused in conjunction with a transparent shield interposed between them and an actuatingmagnet.

Figure l represents a top view ot the device in which a series of paramagneticobjects are to be arranged into the form of a star, the actuating-magnet being in the form of a bar-magnet. Fig. v2

in which a series of paramagnetic objectsA word, the actu are to be arranged to forma ating-magnet being in the formof a horseshoe-magnet. Fig. 3 is a View like Fig. 1, except that the star is to be formed of a series of triangular paramagnetic objects. Fig. 4 is a top view ot the device in whichthe aramagnetic objects consist ot a series of metal balls which are to be passed through a design in the form of a labyrinth of grooves. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section illustrating the use ot the actuating-magnet in either of the three first figures; Fig. 6, a similar view of Fig. 4.

Asuitable-receptacle A is provided for the reception of the series of paramagnetic objects a, a, which latter are preferably, though not necessarily, completely inclosed and confined within the receptacle, which may be in the form of a box, the cover of which C consists of a sheet of glass or other transparent material.

Itis obvious that` the form and construction of -the boxl or receptacle A may be varied at pleasure without deviating from my invention, the essential feature in this refurnishing a support for the paraniagnetic objects a a and for the transparent medium C, which is interposed between themand the actuating-magnet M. The latter is' preferably, though not necessarily, attached by a flexible l:ord-toA the recep-V ltaclle Akas indicated by the lines 'm in the of arranging is a similar view IOO drawings, and may be of either the bar or horseshoe pattern the latter bein g the stronger and more eifective form Where the device is to be of -cheap construction.

AThe solution of the puzzle consists iu working out and arranging the paramagnetic vobjects da inthe form of a' prescribed design by aid of the actuating-magnet M, by which be separated the individual sections are to one from lthe'other and moved-into proper positions with relation to each other. It is obvious that the number and character of the designs that vmay thus be employed is practically unlimited;4 in fact, the device may be made wit-hout any visible pattern or design, and the puzzle thereby rendered more diiiicult of solution, if desired, without deviating from the essential feature of my invention. Again, the special form or construction of the paramagnetic objects is of secondary' importance, provided they are capable of independent movement and relative arrangement.

i In Fig. l the'design -D consists of a simple forni of star dotted or otherwise outlined upon the floor of the receptacle A, while in Fig. 2

: the design D consists of the word Eureka 4,in the forni of slight depressions or grooves d d, which receive the dierent paramagnetic obgects a cpt when brought into dence therewith by the magnet and dropped therein by its removal.

In Fig. 4 the paramagneticlr objects consist of balls,.whicl1 are to be drawn through the -grooves d of thelabyrinth design D. The design D maybe superposed 'upon the. supporting-bed by drawing, painting, printing, n* any conligured directly supptnting-bed in intaglio or alto-rilievo.

The\para1nagnetic objects a a may be made of different colors-as, for instance, when used in the form indicated in Fig. 3-thus` 'I and said shield. The use of the toywill be readily underfv The paramagnetic objects a a, having i the magnet M,l'

rendering the design more attractive. v

stood.

transparent medium C, is

g employed to separate them and it each piece proper coinciother suitable means; or it may be upon the surface of the into its.' allotted place in the design' to be formed, the natural tendency of the sections 5o n to follow the magnet and to cling together rendering a considerable amount of skill and patience in'manipulating the magnet essential to a successful solution of the puz'zle, which, owing to the invisibility of the'force 55 employed in moving the sections aand to the delicacy with which the magnetism may be made to act by varying the position and distance of thev magnet M with relation to the transparent medium C, produces ail especially 6o l fascinating and instructive device for ainusev ment, said device, as before intimated, being capable of considerable variation and modi-` fication in form and arrangement without del Viation from the spirit andintent of this in- `v vention.

That I claim as my secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a magnetic toy, the combination, as and for the"purpose supporting-bed, atransparent shield in prox7 imity thereto, and a number of comparatively small paramagnetic object-s loosely contained between the said bed and said shield.

2. In a magnetic toy, and for-the purpose herein set forth, of a lsupporting-bed exhibiting upon its surface 'a prescribed design, a transparent shieldin proximity to said bed, and aV number of comparatively small paramagnetlc objects loosely 8o contained between the said bed and said shield. v l 3. In a magnetic toy, the combination, as and for the purpose -herein set forth, of a supporting-bed with raised or depressed congurations upon its surface according to a r prescribed design, a transparent shield in proximity to said supporting-bed, and a r n mber of comparatively small paramagnetic objects loosely contained between the said bed 9o I GEO. w. MIATT. NVitnesses:

D. W. GARDNER, G. T. Mr AT'r.

invention,and desire to herein set forth, of a 7o the combination, as 

